Trump lands in Israel as hostage release unfolds
President Donald Trump has touched down in Israel, where he is set to address the Knesset before heading to Egypt for a world leaders’ summit on ending Israel’s war on Gaza. He was welcomed on the red carpet by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and first lady Sara Netanyahu, with US envoy Steve Witkoff nearby, underscoring the close coordination between Washington and Jerusalem in the wake of a fragile ceasefire deal.
The visit is a major diplomatic moment, framed around a ceasefire that has allowed seven Israeli hostages to be handed back to Israeli authorities and transported for medical evaluation. The broader goal, according to Western officials, is to secure a lasting end to the violence and a governance framework for Gaza that would prevent a relapse into broader conflict.
Live updates on hostage releases and international reactions
In a day described by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas as a “crucial milestone towards peace,” the seven released hostages crossed into Israeli territory and began the medical and family-reunion process. The European Union pledged renewed border monitoring support as part of a broader international effort to supervise the ceasefire and aid humanitarian relief where needed.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other world leaders attending the Egyptian summit have weighed in, calling for sustained effort to secure peace and rebuild Gaza’s humanitarian infrastructure. Starmer signaled continued leadership in humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts as negotiations continue on the terms of a broader peace framework.
The hostage exchange and what comes next
Under the current arrangement, 20 living hostages were expected to be released in total, with 13 more anticipated later. In exchange, Israel agreed to release approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners and transfer 1,700 detainees. The first seven hostages were transferred to the Red Cross and transported toward an initial reception point in Israel, where medical checks and family reunions await.
Officials emphasized that the operation remains delicate. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) noted that it would accompany and support families awaiting word at hospitals and that the Red Cross would carry out subsequent handovers as additional hostages are transferred from Gaza in the coming hours. The mood in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square reflected a cautious optimism, with crowds celebrating a potential turning point in a conflict that has stunned observers for months.
Strategic stakes for the Gaza ceasefire
While the immediate humanitarian moment is celebrated, the broader strategic question remains: can a durable ceasefire be sustained and Gaza’s governance resolved without reopening a cycle of violence? US and European officials stress that any lasting peace will require multifaceted international backing, regional security guarantees, and concrete steps to ensure Hamas disarms or is disempowered in a manner deemed credible by all involved parties.
Trump’s address to the Knesset and his forthcoming participation in the Sharm el-Sheikh summit will likely underscore America’s call for a collaborative approach to Gaza’s governance and reconstruction, as the international community monitors compliance with the ceasefire and the humanitarian distribution of aid.
On the ground: human stories and the path forward
Beyond political maneuvering, the human dimension remains central. Families waiting at hospitals, the return of hostages to safety, and the ongoing effort to aid civilians in Gaza are all critical tests of whether diplomacy can translate into tangible relief. As the ceasefire endures, the world watches to see if this moment will translate into a sustained political solution rather than a temporary pause in violence.
